Tuesday Tip From a Tutor: How to Get "Helpful Help" from a Teacher

(I want my students to become confident, independent, lifelong learners, so I mix study skills coaching into my tutoring lessons. Each Tuesday, I'm going to share one of my study tips for students, parents and teachers to use.)

These days, students seem much more comfortable reaching out for help from teachers. Schools have been encouraging students to self-advocate, and this is an important skill.

But to benefit from meeting with a teacher one-on-one, students need to be prepared and active:

• Prepare ahead of the meeting. Come with specific questions. Avoid just plunking down and leaving it up to the teacher to figure out what's confusing you.
• Take notes and ask questions. Don't just sit and passively listen to the teacher re-explaining things.
• Leave with some extra practice. Ask for a worksheet or other extra assignment, so you can work on your own after the meeting. You may then want to schedule a second meeting with the teacher to go over the assignment together.

Meeting with your teacher is a great first step towards getting a handle on confusing material, but it's not the end.

The critical next piece of the process is you, doing your own extra work, actively practicing and nailing down what you covered in the meeting.

Happy Studying! -"Ms. Cousins"